Tree Removal Costs

Most Jacksonville property owners spend between $200 and $2000 on tree removal. On average, however, the tree removal cost hovers around $750.

Tree height has a major effect on the tree removal cost, with professionals charging an average of $8 to $15 per foot. If your tree is 30 feet tall, the per-foot cost indicates that you should expect the removal cost to be between $240 and $450. Several factors, however, can lead to slightly different prices – below, we will discuss these factors.

Factors Affecting Tree Removal Cost in Jacksonville

1. Tree Height

Tree height plays a key role in the amount you end up paying to get rid of the tree. Taller trees are heavier, with their height increasing the area under risk as the tree is brought down. To keep the tallest trees from causing significant property damage and/or injuries, Jacksonville tree removal professionals have to use advanced equipment.

Also, the professionals may have to spend more time planning the tree removal process for the taller trees than they would for short trees. The additional effort needed for tall trees increases the removal cost.

Below, we have outlined the costs associated with varying tree heights:

• Under 30 feet – Trees shorter than 30 feet fit in the small tree category. These trees feature a removal cost of between $200 and $450.
• 30 to 60 feet – Medium-sized trees have a slightly higher removal cost, with professionals charging $800 to $1500.
• 80+ feet – When a tree hits the 80-foot mark, it is classified in the large or very-large category. This category carries the highest tree removal cost, with property owners spending $1000 to $2000.

2. Crane-Assisted Removal

Sometimes, trees are too heavy or in too compromised situations for tree removal to be handled without a crane. If a crane has to be included in the tree removal process, the amount you end up spending will be increased by the cost of renting and operating the crane.

Cranes cost $200 to $600 to rent for a day in Jacksonville. $500 is spent on renting with the extra $50 to $100 being paid to the crane operator. This amount is added to the base tree removal cost.

For example, if a tree costs $1800 to remove and a crane has to be rented at $600, the total cost of removing the tree will be $2400.

3. Tree Species

Tree species feature a huge influence on how complicated the tree removal process will be. For example, some tree species are taller than 150 feet while other species mature at 30 feet. In Jacksonville, some of the trees are hardwood while others are softwood. Below, we have outlined the cost estimates for bringing down different tree species:

Oak Trees

Oak trees with a height of between 60 and 100 feet will set you back $800 to $1000 to remove. However, if your oak tree is shorter than 60 feet, an average of $200 – $800 should be enough.

Palm Trees

Palm trees with a height of below 30 feet carry a removal cost of between $200 and $500. When their height reaches 80 feet, the tree removal cost increases to $1,100 – $1,500.

Pine Trees

If your pines feature a height of 40 feet, you should set aside approximately $400 to remove one of the trees. Pines taller than 80 feet, however, can need over $1,500.

4. Tree Condition

Most underlying conditions make trees too dangerous to work on. Some of the common conditions affecting trees in Jacksonville include damaged roots and rotting or hollow trunks. These conditions indicate that the tree is unstable and even slight changes in its balance could bring it down unexpectedly.

To avoid tragedies and accidents that could leave you with thousands to pay in property repair costs, tree removal professionals may spend some of their time stabilizing the tree and figuring out how to bring it down section by section. All this can raise the tree removal cost.

To determine whether your tree has some underlying conditions, watch out for the following signs and symptoms:

• Weak branches – Weak branches can break and fall off the tree trunk when they are least expected to. To minimize the risk of injury and to increase property safety, weak branches may need to be sawn off ahead of tree removal – this can increase the removal cost.
• Decays and cavities – These are a sign that the tree’s wood structure is damaged and the risk of the tree falling during removal is high. In addition to requiring more advanced machinery, trees with this condition may need stabilization before removal.
• Multiple trunks – If the multiple trunks have a strong link in between them, they may not be a problem. However, if the branches have a weak link between them, a lot of work may need to be done to keep them from splitting open during removal.
• Leaning – Significant leans are an indicator that the tree is on its way to falling. If there are important structures in the direction of the tree’s lean, work will need to be done to change the direction in which the tree falls.

Fallen Tree Removal

Removals for fallen trees are supposed to be simple. When the tree has fallen on open space, the tree removal cost can be as low as $75 – $150.

In some circumstances, however, fallen trees are hanging dangerously on important structures or utility lines. More finesse will be needed for such trees – this will prevent further damage. The extra effort and time need for the trees can drive the removal cost up.

5. The Diameter of the Tree

Trees with huge trunk diameters take more time to saw through. This leads to a higher removal cost, especially when compared with trees of the same height but thinner.

6. Tree Location

Tree service providers have predefined service areas. If a client is located too far outside the service zone, he/she will have to pay a travel fee that averages at $0.5 per mile covered. Sometimes, a fixed travel fee of $50 – $200 is often charged, depending on the number of miles covered.

7. Accessibility

Trees surrounded by utility lines and important structures cost more to remove compared to trees on open ground. Tree removal experts will have to do more work to avoid damaging the utilities. If a tree is on open ground, all that is needed is to saw off the tree’s base and leave the tree to drop down freely.

8. Additional Tree Removal Costs

Tree removal cost quotes rarely take into account the costs of extra services that are often associated with tree removal. The additional activities include:

Stump Removal

Stump removal is generally offered as a separate service, with most experts allowing property owners to choose between stump grinding and complete stump removal. The stump removal cost is outlined below:

• Diameter cost – You will be charged $2 – $3 per diameter inch. Professionals, however, have a fixed minimum cost of $100.
• Per stump cost – The initial tree stump costs $150. If you have additional tree stumps, you may be charged $50 per stump.
• Per hour cost – This method is applicable if you have a huge land with numerous stumps on it. Each hour will cost $150 to clear the land.

Log Removal Cost

If you would like to remove the tree trunk from your home, you will need to pay for both chipping and hurling. Wood chipping can set you back between $65 and $150 depending on how big the tree is. Hurling can cost you an extra $50.

Log Splitting

Jacksonville homeowners do use firewood. When you bring a tree down and wish to turn it into firewood, you will need to spend some money on splitting. This service costs an average of $75.

Permits and Licenses

Before bringing a tree down, most parts of Jacksonville require property owners to have a permit. Most tree service providers can grab the permit for you. You will, however, have to spend money on the permits, with licenses and permits having a price of between $60 and $150.

Clean-Up Costs

Most property owners prefer to have their properties looking as appealing as they were before the tree was brought down. To achieve cleanliness after tree removal, you may need to spend some extra money. The extra cash should allow the tree removal experts to get rid of the leaves, branches, and sawdust from your home.

Tree Transplanting Cost

If a special tree is standing in a space you would like to use for property development, complete tree removal may not be the best option. Instead, you may want to invest in tree transplanting.

Tree transplanting should carry the tree from its current location and place it somewhere where it won’t influence your development plans. Transplanting is more costly than complete tree removal – this is because it involves more activities.

For example, transplanting will require the tree experts to dig out the tree with its healthy roots, transport the tree as a whole to its new location, dig a hole, and plant the tree. Tree transplanting can cost an extra $125 – $500. If complete removal of a tree will set you back 1500, transplanting of the same tree will cost $1625 – $2000.